Guzmania hybrid &#39;blitz&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Guzmania hybrid  named ‘BLITZ’ characterized by solid growth habit; funnel-form rosette plant, measuring about 20 cm to 25 cm in height (above the pot when flowering); numerous, green color foliage (measuring about 25 to 30 cm length and about 3.0 to 3.5 cm in width) Superior floral bract production; bracts are red in color (closest to RHS 45A), singular head inflorescence, measuring about 8 cm in height and about 18 cm in diameter; and long-lasting habit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new, distinct and stable lingulata of Guzmania lingulata, hereinafter referred to as ‘Blitz’. The present invention relates to seeds which are the Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’, as well as, plants and plant parts produced by these seeds which have all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of the Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’. The present invention also relates to methods for producing these seeds and plants of the Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of producing progeny Guzmania plants by crossing Guzmania ‘Blitz’, as either the female or seed or male or pollen parent, with another Guzmania plant and selecting progeny.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new, distinct and stable lingulata of Guzmania lingulata, and hereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘Blitz’. The new Guzmania ‘Blitz’ originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventors in 2008, and then first flowered in 2010, in Assendelft, The Netherlands. The female or seed parent is the Guzmania lingulata minor inbred line identified by code 88399 (unpatented). The male or pollen parent is the Guzmania lingulata inbred line identified by code 10486143 (unpatented).

Guzmania is a member of the Bromeliaceae family. Guzmania is predominantly epiphytic with a few terrestrial species and is native to the tropics. For the most part, species vary in diameter from 7 or 8 inches to 3 or 4 feet and have rosettes of glossy, smooth-edged leaves.

Floral bracts of Guzmania frequently have brilliant colors and may last for many months. The range of colors for Guzmania is generally from yellow through orange but may also include flame red and red-purple. White or yellow, tubular, three-petalled flowers may also appear on a stem or within the leaf rosette but are usually short-lived.

Guzmania may be advantageously grown as pot plants for greenhouse or home use. Typically, the plants are shaded from direct sunlight. During the spring to autumn period, the central vase-like part of the leaf rosette is normally filled with water.

Guzmania is native to tropical America. Leaves of Guzmania are usually formed as basal rosettes which are stiff and entire and in several vertical ranks. Guzmania plants have terminal spikes or panicles which are often bracted with petals united in a tube about as long as the calyx. The ovary is superior and the seeds plumose.

Asexual propagation of Guzmania is frequently performed by vegetative means through the use of tissue culture practices. Propagation of Guzmania can also be from offshoots which can be detached from the mother plant and grown in an appropriate soil or bark mixture.

Methods for cultivation and crossing of Guzmania are well known. For a detailed discussion, reference is made to the following publications, which are incorporated herein by reference: Benzing, David H., THE BIOLOGY OF THE BROMELIADS, Mad River Press, Inc., Eureka (1980); Zimmer, Karl, BROMELIEN, Verlag, Paul Parey, Berlin (1986); and Rauh, Werner, BROMELIEN, Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart (1981).

A Guzmania inbred is produced by brother/sister crossing over several generations to produce a genetically homozygous plant selection. A lingulata cultivar is produced by crossing two genetically distinct inbred lines, collecting seeds produced by the cross, and germinating seeds so-produced to make lingulata plants. The lingulata seeds and plants produced by this method are uniform with respect their morphological and physiological characteristics.

A need exists for a greater variety of Guzmania cultivars with attractive ornamental features. Additionally, a need exists for additional Guzmania lingulata cultivars that can be easily propagated by seed. The new Guzmania ‘Blitz’ was developed through a controlled breeding program and exhibits unique, desirable and stable characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides Guzmania plant selections that are strong, small-sized plants, long-lasting hybrids with superior bract production and red inflorescence that exhibit good keeping quality. The present invention also provides Guzmania plant selections with a single head inflorescence with a unique red color which distinguishes the new cultivar from typical Guzmania.

These and other objectives have been achieved in accordance with the present invention which provides ‘Blitz’ as a new Guzmania cultivar that is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventors, Elly Bak and Nico D. M. Steur, in Assendelft, The Netherlands, in 2001. The female or seed parent is the Guzmania lingulata minor inbred line identified by code 88399 (unpatented). The male or pollen parent is the Guzmania lingulata inbred line identified by code 10486143 (unpatented).

Both parental cultivars have a sufficient degree of homozygosity such that the progeny of the cross are genetypically and phenotypically uniform. The new hybrid ‘Blitz’ therefore can be produced by sexual reproduction by crossing the parental inbred lines identified by the codes 88399 and 10486143 to produce a population of progeny plants, each of which has the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new hybrid ‘Blitz’.

Seeds which are the hybrid ‘Blitz’ are produced by crossing the parental lines identified by the codes 88399 and 10486143, and deposited with the American Type Culture Collection, 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110-2209 having deposit Designation PTA-121180.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to seeds which produce Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’. The present invention also relates to Guzmania plants, and parts thereof, having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’. The present invention relates to a plant produced from seeds which are Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’. The present invention also relates to plant parts, such as pollen, seeds or inflorescence produced by Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’.

The present invention relates to a method of producing seed which are Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’, by a crossing Guzmania lingulata inbred line identified by code 88399 (unpatented) as the female or seed parent with Guzmania lingulata inbred line identified by code 10486143 (unpatented) as the male or pollen parent. harvesting seeds produced from said cross.

The present invention also relates to a method of producing plants having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of the Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’ comprising the steps of (a) crossing Guzmania lingulata inbred identified by code 88399 (unpatented) as a female or seed parent with Guzmania lingulata inbred line identified by code 10486143 (unpatented) as the male or pollen parent. (b) harvesting seeds produced from said cross; and (c) producing plants from said harvested seeds.

The present invention also relates to producing progeny plants from the cross of Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’, as the female or male parent, with another Guzmania plant, and selecting progeny plants from this cross.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The patent or application file contains one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawings provided to the Office and payment made of the necessary fees.

The accompanying photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the new Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘Blitz’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a flowering plant of ‘Blitz’, approximately 10 months of age from potting size.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The present invention was created by the inventors, Elly Bak and Nicolaas D. M. Steur in 2008, and flowered for the first time in 2010 in Assendelft, The Netherlands.

This invention is directed to Guzmania plant having all the morphological and physiological characteristics of the hybrid ‘Blitz’ produced from seeds which are the product of the cross of the Guzmania lingulata inbred line identified by code 88399 (unpatented) as the female or seed parent with the Guzmania lingulata inbred line identified by code 1046143 (unpatented) as the male or pollen parent. Both parents have a sufficient degree of homozygosity such that the progeny of the cross were, and continue to be, phenotypically uniform. The new Guzmania ‘Blitz’ can therefore be produced by sexual reproduction by crossing of the inbred selections identified by the codes 88399 and 10486143 to produce a population of progeny plants, each of which has the combination of characteristics herein disclosed for the new Guzmania ‘Blitz’.

The new Guzmania ‘Blitz’ can also be produced by asexually reproducing progeny from the cross of the parental inbred lines identified by the codes 88399 and 10486143. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by vegetative means by cuttings was first performed in 2010, in Assendelft, The Netherlands. The first ‘Blitz’ plants propagated through the use of such cuttings flowered in 2012, in Assendelft, The Netherlands, and have demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true-to-type and that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Blitz’ which in combination distinguish this Guzmania as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   1. Stemless growth habit; -   2. Funnel-form rosette plant, measuring about 20 to 25 cm in height     (above the pot when flowering); -   3. Numerous, green color foliage (measuring about 25 to30 cm in     length and about 3.5 cm in width. -   4. Superior floral bract production; -   5. Bracts are red in color (closest to RHS 45A) with a yellow tip     closest to RHS 13A -   6. Single inflorescence, measuring about 8 cm in height, when     flowering and about 18 cm in diameter -   7. Long-lasting habit.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventors, the most similar in comparison to the new Guzmania lingulata ‘Blitz’ is the Guzmania cultivar ‘Tempo’. Plants of the new hybrid ‘Blitz’ differ from plants of ‘Tempo’ primarily in the size of the inflorescence. Plants of ‘Tempo’ have a smaller sized inflorescence.

‘Blitz’ has not been tested and observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, frequency of fertilization, composition of fertilizer, flowering treatment, day length and humidity, without any change in the genotype of the plant.

For example, substantial differences in plant height and diameter, number of leaves, can result depending on the size of the plant at the time that flowering is induced by flowering treatment. Since treatment to induce flowering disrupts normal watering and fertilization regimens, flowering treatment of relatively smaller plants adversely affects the growth of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Guzmania ‘Blitz’ as grown in a greenhouse in Assendelft, The Netherlands, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Plants of ‘Blitz’ were grown in a greenhouse with day temperatures ranging from 20° C. to 28° C. and night temperatures ranging from 18° C. to 23° C. No artificial lighting or photoperiodic treatments were conducted, but plants of ‘Blitz’ are forced into flowering. The following fertilizer is added when growing plants of ‘Blitz’: 1 part nitrogen, 0.6 parts phosphor, 2 parts Kalium and 0.1 parts magnesium.

Color references are made to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions in a greenhouse in Assendelft, The Netherlands. The age of the plants of ‘Blitz’ described is about 9 weeks after flowering treatment.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Guzmania lingulata. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Guzmania lingulata inbred line identified by             code 88399 (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Guzmania lingulata inbred line identified by             code 10486143 (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Height: About 20 to 25 cm (when             flowering) Width: About 40 cm Shape: Funnel form rosette.         -   Growth habit.—Stemless.         -   Plant vigor.—Good.         -   Flowering season.—A fully grown plant can flower year round,             starting 9 weeks after induction of natural light or through             flowering treatment.         -   Cold tolerance.—Frost tender. Temperatures below 5° C. may             damage plants.         -   Fragrance.—None. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity.—About 20 (depending on the size of the plant).         -   Size of leaf.—Length: About 25 to 30 cm cm (when flowering)             Width: About 3.0 to 3.5 cm.         -   Overall shape.—linear lanceolate.         -   Apex shape.—acuminate.         -   Base shape.—Strap-like around central axis.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Orientation.—Leaf blades arch continuously from base.         -   Color.—Leaf color can vary somewhat depending on growing             conditions. Immature and Mature: Upper surface: green, RHS             137A Under surface: green, RHS 137A.         -   Venation.—Indistinguishable from foliage blade. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Borne.—Erect stalks.         -   Size.—Length: About 8 cm in height when flowering Diameter:             About 18 cm         -   Time of bloom.—A fully grown plant can produce an             inflorescence containing about 50 flowers (depending on the             size of the plants), and can bloom the whole year starting             about 9 weeks after natural induction or through flowering             treatment.         -   Duration of bloom.—Each flower blooms one (1) day and the             total blooming of the whole inflorescence is about 6 weeks.         -   Petals.—Number: 3 per flower Length: About 6 cm Width: About             0.5 cm Overall Shape: Ligulate Apex Shape: Obtuse Base             Shape: Fused Color: Upper and under surfaces: yellow,             closest to RHS 7A.         -   Sepals.—Number: 3 per flower Length: About 2.5 cm Width:             About 0.3 cm Overall Shape: Ligulate Apex Shape: Acute Base             Shape: Fused Color: Upper and under surfaces: translucent. -   Bracts:     -   -   Scape bracts.—Quantity: About 8 arrangement: Alternate Size:             Length: About 21 cm (lowest) to about 12 cm (scape bracts             positioned just below the primary bracts). Width: About 3.0             to 3.5 cm Overall shape: linear lanceolate Apex shape: acute             Base shape: fused Margin: entire Texture: smooth Upper and             under surfaces: Scape bracts are green, closest to RHS 137A             with red, closest to RHS 45B, changing to 45A with a small             amount of green 137A just below the primary bracts.         -   Primary bracts.—Quantity: About 12 Arrangement: Alternate:             Size :Length: About 12 cm (lowest) to about 5 cm (primary             bracts become shorter closer to the top of plant) Width:             About 2 cm cm Overall shape: recurved and ovate-lanceolate             Apex shape: Acute Base shape: Fused Margin: Entire Texture:             Smooth Color: Upper and under surfaces: red, closest to RHS             45A, with a yellow tip at the top primary bracts, RHS 13A             Floral bracts: disposed within the inflorescence. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 6 per flower Length: About 4.5             cm Diameter: About 1 mm Color: Near RHS Yellow-White 158B             Anther: Length: About 0.5 cm Color: Near RHS Yellow-White             158B Pollen: Amount: Scant         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Number: 1 per flower Length: About 4 cm             Stigma: Shape: 3-parted Width: About 2 mm Color: Near RHS             Yellow-White 158B Style: Length: About 5 cm Color: Near RHS             Yellow-White 158B Ovary: Position: Superior Shape: Conical             Length: About 1 cm Diameter: About 0.3 cm Color:             yellow-green, closest to RHS 150D. -   Seeds/fruit: sterile hybrid, no seed or fruit produced. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     normal diseases and pests of Guzmania have been observed. 

We claim:
 1. A Guzmania plant named ‘Blitz’, representative seed deposited at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) having deposit Designation PTA-121180.
 2. Guzmania seed as mentioned in claim
 1. 3. Plants part obtained from the Guzmania plant of claim
 1. 4. A method of producing Guzmania progeny plant comprising the steps of (a) crossing Guzmania ‘Blitz’ produced from seed deposited at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) having deposit Designation PTA-121180 as a female or male parent with another Guzmania plant , and (b) selecting progeny.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the second Guzmania plant is ‘Blitz’. 